MADRID, SPAIN (BNO NEWS) — Raul Gonzalez, all-time leading scorer for the international power house football club “Real Madrid”, on Monday parted ways from the club after 16 seasons and 17 major trophies.

For football fans around the world, the name Raul is enough to identify the man who the club itself described as “the symbol of what Madridismo is and should be.”

Raul, 33, bid farewell to Real Madrid in an event held at the Presidential Balcony of the club’s stadium, Santiago Bernabeu. With hundreds of fans chanting, “Raul, Raul, Raul!” an emotional Raul said, “throughout the years I have always tried to stay true to the values of Real Madrid. Today more than ever before I want everyone to know that I tried to give my very best in every play, every dribble, every shot and every gesture on the pitch.”

The international striker holds the clubs record of most goals with 323 in 741 matches, surpassing Alfredo di Stefano. Holding any record for Real Madrid, the club that season after season seeks the greatest talent around the world and offers them their highest payday of their careers, is not an easy task. But Raul also holds the all-time record for most goals in the Champions League with 66 and the Spanish national team with 44.

“Football is and has been my life. Real Madrid has been my home and here I have experienced unique emotions. Today is the first day of my new life, during which I will try something so complex and difficult as it is to be as immensely happy as I have been at Real Madrid,” Raul said, as he is expected to join the German club, Schalke.

On Sunday, another 33-year-old Real Madrid player parted ways as well, Jose Maria Gutierrez, known as Guti. After 15 seasons with Real Madrid, Guti signed a two-year contract with Besiktas from Turkey on Monday. Both players have never played for another club, representing Real Madrid throughout their careers.